started slowly, never able to get on terms after and always in rear, tailed off
led, hit 3 out stumbled on landing and narrowly headed, ralled gamely from last, stayed on strongly flat, driven to lead close home
chased leaders, hit 11th, ridden along and slightly outpaced 14th, stayed on again from 2 out, went 4th last
in touch on inside, close up 4 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, ridden along 11th, racing on outside when hit 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, one pace and no impression before last
towards rear, hit 6th, ridden and struggling 12th, modest 8th when went right 3 out, plugged on
always towards rear, driven along after 6th, never on terms
mostly chased winner, hit 4th, lost 2nd 13th, stayed in 3rd until weakened 2 out
always behind, hit 7th and next, no chance when hit 4 out, tailed off
never going towards rear, ridden and struggling 8th, tailed off 15th
never travelled, always in rear, hit 7th and next, tailed off 13th
always behind, blundered 3rd, tailed off 15th
in touch, ridden and lost place 14th, pulled up soon after
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5th, went 2nd 13th, led narrowly 3 out, looked likely winner before last until idled and hung badly right flat, headed close home
towards rear, headway 7th, close up when mistake 10th, ridden along and outpaced 15th, plugged on same pace from 3 out
always behind, tailed off
Nonrunner
The declaration of the classy Neptune Collonges means a few of these are racing from out of the handicap proper, including the top weight's stablemate Forest Pennant who is now blinkered after a modest reappearance at Wincanton. Palypso De Creek has always been held in regard and promises to win a decent race if he can get his jumping together but a more reliable proposition may be RARE BOB. Dessie Hughes' gelding stays well and can reverse Aintree running in April with From Dawn To Dusk on this stiffer track. The fast-improving Midnight Chase beat Any Currency over 3m4f here last month but has gone up a further 9lb since, while Ascot fourth Exmoor Ranger has never enjoyed much luck on previous visits to Cheltenham.
Neptune Collonges (FR) 14-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear until brought down 4th, in a race won by Diamond Harry (10-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Midnight Chase 8-1 (11-9) Led after 4th, made rest, hit 16th, hit 3 out, clear next, blundered last, stayed on strongly, won at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov beating Any Currency (10-9) by 8l, 17 ran.
Knockara Beau (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders until not fluent 2nd, soon in rear and not going well, hit 6th, pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Nacarat (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Rare Bob (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Led after 1st, strongly pressed from 4 out, headed before 2 out, no impression under pressure approaching last, no extra run-in and dropped to 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Glencove Marina (11-7) at Thurles 2m 6f lst chs (1) sft in Nov.
Exmoor Ranger (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) In rear when blundered 3rd, headway 16th, chased leaders 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 12l behind Massini's Maguire (11-3) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gd in Oct.
From Dawn To Dusk 14-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, headway to modest 7th after 4 out, went poor 5th after 2 out, 5th of 17, 39l behind Midnight Chase (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
That's Rhythm (FR) 33-1 (11-0) In rear, hit 9th, effort approaching 4 out, no impression, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 14l behind Nacarat (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Beat The Boys (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Slow jum 1st, held up in last trio, headway 8th, chased leading pair 11th, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 5th of 11, 30l behind Ballycarney (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Oct.
Horner Woods (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Held up, driven and headway approaching 4 out, outpaced next, weakened last, 9th of 14, 20l behind Beat The Boys (10-12) at Newcastle 3m listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov '09.
Faasel (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, slightly hampered 17th, pushed along approaching next, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Forest Pennant (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, mistake 4th (water), struggling 13th (water), tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Meanus Dandy (9-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Nov.
Knowhere (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Led, hit 9th, headed 3 out, stayed in 3rd, hit 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure flat, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Rustarix (9-13) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Palypso De Creek (FR) 5-2fav (11-10) In touch when fell 7th, in a race won by King Fontaine (11-1) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Presenting Forever (IRE) 6-5fav (11-5) Made all, had a tendancy to jump left most of the time, ridden after last, kept on well, driven out, won at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct beating Rifleman (10-5) by 4l, 6 ran.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 11-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway and in touch 11th, left 3rd 13th (bechers brook)effort and every chance when blundered 2 out, not recover, 6th of 17, 29l behind Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Appleaday (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led until 11th, remained prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 10, 22l behind Fit To Drive (11-9) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Any Currency (IRE) 6-1fav (10-9) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders from 4 out, 4th when blundered 3 out, went 2nd soon after last, no chance with winner hung badly right flat, 2nd of 17, 8l behind Midnight Chase (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
